IPL 2016: Defending champions Mumbai Indians choose Jaipur as their home ground

New Delhi: In the backdrop of Maharashtra drought and the ensuing logistical crisis, defending champions Mumbai Indians on Sunday opted Jaipur as their home base for the 2016 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Mumbai-based franchise were given the option to choose from three alternative venues in Raipur, Kanpur and Jaipur by the organisers of the Twenty20 league, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court ordered not to hold IPL matches in Mharashtra after April 30.

"We had given Mumbai Indians three options – Jaipur, Kanpur and Raipur. The Mumbai Indians told us that they would like to play their home matches at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. Accordingly, the IPL and IMG officials will be going to Rajasthan tomorrow in order to speak to the state government," IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla told mediapersons.

The other Maharashtra franchise Pune Supergiants have already opted for Visakhapatnam as their home ground on Friday.

Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Stadium used to be the home ground of the now suspended Rajasthan Royals and the Rajashthan cricket association has been under suspension, but Shukla had earlier mentioned that suspension of the state association does not mean suspension of the venue.